Northrend Cup returns as Midnight hotfixes address Mythic+ and Spark issues

Northrend Cup has returned to Retail WoW alongside a fresh Midnight hotfix pass and Blizzard's follow-up on misplaced Spark of Tides items. The racing event runs through September 8, while the hotfixes and Spark corrections affect current Season 2 play immediately.

Twelve routes and three race modes

The event began on August 25. Lord Andestrasz in Valdrakken offers the opening quest, with additional directions available from Stormwind, Orgrimmar, and Northrend. Each of the twelve routes has Normal, Advanced, and Reverse versions, producing 36 race variants in total.

Races use the original Dragonflight skyriding mounts. Players without an eligible mount receive a loaner Riders of Azeroth Drake. Completing activities awards Riders of Azeroth Badges that can be exchanged for cosmetic rewards.

Gold on every race unlocks the Northrend Racer title and Frosted Riders of Azeroth Tabard. New rewards include Skymaster's Blood appearance pieces, while returning stock includes Icy Drake Racer items, dragon customizations, the Vial of Endless Draconic Scales toy, and the Checkered Pennant.

Hotfixes repair three Season 2 dungeons

In Temple of Sethraliss, Spark Channelers should no longer turn unexpectedly and Static Anomalies now grant the intended enemy forces credit. Blizzard adjusted the required forces count at the same time and explicitly says the change does not affect routing.

Stormslam could select an unexpected player during Kyrakka and Erkhart Stormvein in Ruby Life Pools. In The Blinding Vale, Death Knights could lose access to Consumption after Ikuzz lifted them with Bloodthirsty Gaze. Both issues have been corrected.

The Twin Fangs room in the Venomous Abyss could close when combat started and fail to reopen, blocking the route back to the raid entrance. The door fix does not affect Zatha'tek or Breath of Corruption.

Spark of Tides cleanup continues in waves

Blizzard says weekly maintenance addressed players who were missing Spark of Tides items. Not every edge case is handled by a single pass, and additional cleanup waves are planned during the week.

The important warning applies to players who accidentally received Sparks above the cap: Blizzard says some excess items may be removed. The post does not promise how already-crafted equipment will be handled, so players should not assume an outcome that Blizzard has not confirmed.

It is sensible to check Spark and Dust totals before another craft and wait if the count remains unclear. Northrend Cup participation, meanwhile, is available immediately and its rewards can be earned through September 8.

August 26 hotfixes added class and Delve corrections

Blizzard expanded the hotfix list on August 26. The fixes address the display of Devourer Demon Hunter's set bonus, Protection Paladin's Avenger’s Shield, Holy Priest's Divine Hymn, Elemental Shaman's Healing Surge, and Warrior's Sudden Death.

In Delves, the Undergraduates in the Infiltrator Garand encounter no longer spawn in unintended locations. Overflowing caches at maximum Renown should now contain Veteran Mistcrests, while Training Grounds: Arena ends correctly when AI opponents surrender. These are bug and reward corrections, not another broad tuning pass.